Tag Archives: Forced disappearances

August 2013 – UN Experts expressed serious concern over the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic, warning that “the rule of law is almost non-existent, and abuses of power and impunity have become the norm.” Over the last five months, an absence of the rule of law has prevailed in the country, resulting in reports of acts of killings, torture, arbitrary detention, gender-based violence, enforced disappearances, and ‘mob justice.’ The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture warned that “torture seems to be widespread in the country,” and noted his concern that at least 25 persons have reportedly died as a result of torture and CIDT. He urges authorities to investigate every allegation of torture or CIDT and bring those responsible to justice. Read the full article here.

June 2013 – Torture Abolition and Survivor Support Coalition (TASSC) awarded the First Annual Patrick Rice Human Rights Award to Juan E. Méndez and Aileen Diez-Bacalso for their ardent defense of human rights around the world. Patrick Rice was a former Irish priest, leading human rights activist, and disappeared detainee who was tortured by the junta in Argentina during the Dirty War. As a result of the oppression during the dictatorship, he vigorously represented families of the disappeared in Latin America and worked with Argentine human rights NGOs. His wife, Fatima Cabrera, presented the award, stating that “defending human rights is to open up to the possibility of sharing with other human beings the generosity that lies within each of us.” Juan Méndez expressed his deep gratitude for the award, sharing the life changing impact of his connection with Patrick Rice. Watch the video here.

Video and photo credit: The National Religious Campaign Against Torture.